<BillNo> <Sponsor>
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 54
By Barrett
HJR0054
001823
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A RESOLUTION to recognize Lewis County Sheriff Dwayne
Kilpatrick on the occasion of his retirement.
WHEREAS, it is appropriate that the members of this General Assembly should honor
those citizens who have performed with uncommon devotion and enthusiasm throughout their
careers in law enforcement; and
WHEREAS, Dwayne Kilpatrick of the Lewis County Sheriff's Office is one such estimable
individual, who has devoted his life to the preservation of law and order and the protection of his
fellow citizens; and
WHEREAS, after a forty-three-year career in law enforcement, Sheriff Kilpatrick recently
took his much-deserved retirement on December 31, 2024, having devoted thirteen years of his
life to public service and law enforcement as sheriff of Lewis County; and
WHEREAS, after graduating from Lewis County High School in 1978, Dwayne Kilpatrick
enlisted in the United States Navy, proudly serving his country while exemplifying the values of
honor, courage, and commitment; and
WHEREAS, it was during his military service that he developed a deep sense of duty
and the desire to protect and serve others; upon leaving the Navy in 1981, he returned to Lewis
County and joined the Hohenwald Police Department; and
WHEREAS, over the next thirteen years, Dwayne Kilpatrick devoted himself to serving
the people of Hohenwald, proving himself to be an officer of the highest order; he earned the
respect of his peers and fellow citizens alike for his work ethic, integrity, professionalism, and
leadership skills; and
WHEREAS, he made a successful bid for the office of Lewis County Sheriff in 1994,
ultimately being elected to the post an additional seven consecutive times, making him the
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longest-serving sheriff in the county's history; he also became one of Lewis County's most
beloved elected officials during his time in office; and
WHEREAS, throughout his three decades as sheriff, Sheriff Kilpatrick met each
challenge with unwavering resolve and compassion; his leadership transformed the Lewis
County Sheriff's Department and fostered a sense of trust and collaboration between law
enforcement and the public; and
WHEREAS, Sheriff Dwayne Kilpatrick successfully operated a work-release program for
decades, through which supervised trustees assisted with various community projects, including
mowing cemeteries, cleaning up the ball park, and providing assistance to county and city
workers; and
WHEREAS, as sheriff, he spearheaded the wood program, in which inmates would cut
unwanted trees throughout the county, haul the wood back to the jail, and give the wood away
to those individuals who were low-income, elderly, or disabled; this program has kept thousands
of Lewis County families warm during the winter when they had no other sources of heat; and
WHEREAS, Sheriff Kilpatrick's legacy also includes dedication to mentoring new officers
as well as participation in countless community initiatives, including volunteering to serve on the
Lewis County Senior Citizens Board and the E-911 Board of Directors; and
WHEREAS, he also served for many years as a director on the Victim Offender
Reconciliation Program and sat on numerous committees within the Tennessee Sheriff's
Association; and
WHEREAS, throughout his many worthy endeavors, Sheriff Kilpatrick has been blessed
with the love and support of his wife, Trina; their children, Landon Kilpatrick, Maleah (Brad)
Askins, and Kacey (Brenton) Atkins; and their grandchildren, Braylen, Mahaley, and Harrison;
and
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WHEREAS, Sheriff Dwayne Kilpatrick brought honor to the office of sheriff, a most fitting
station that recognized his devotion to the safety and preservation of his community; and
WHEREAS, Sheriff Kilpatrick exemplifies the values of hard work, compassion, and
devotion to community that are characteristic of a true Tennessean and diligent officer of the
law; and
WHEREAS, throughout his estimable career, he demonstrated the utmost
professionalism, ability, and integrity, winning the respect and admiration of his colleagues and
the citizens of Lewis County; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED
FOURTEENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, THE SENATE
CONCURRING, that we hereby honor Lewis County Sheriff Dwayne Kilpatrick on the occasion
of his retirement, commend his many years of distinguished service, and wish him continued
success in all his future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that an appropriate copy of this resolution be prepared
for presentation with this final clause omitted from such copy and upon proper request made to
the appropriate clerk, the language appearing immediately following the State seal appear
without House or Senate designation.